Navy extends deadline for LCS block buy

The Mobile Press Register reports that the Navy has extended until December 30 its decision on whether to go ahead with an order for ten Littoral Combat Ships apiece from the two competing teams, Austal USA and the Lockheed Martin led team.

The deadline was set to expire to and while the House has cleared the deal it has yet to gain Senate approval.

The Press Register quotes Capt. Cate Mueller, a Navy spokeswoman, as saying in a written statement: "The Navy has asked for and received from Lockheed Martin and Austal a limited extension on the prices submitted under the current LCS solicitation."

Her statement also said that: "This extension does not allow the Navy to continue to work for the dual block buy authorization beyond Dec. 30, 2010."

That means the decision is still a nail-biter for the two shipbuilders as Congress is set to wrap things up for the current session and will not return until 2011.